The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied.
The Most Similar Diets to Samoan Food
Samoa shares many culinary similarities with the other countries that are located on isolated tropical islands close to the equator. As a result, two major components of their diets are fish and coconuts. This is because the vast majority of people in these countries live relatively close to the ocean. They also import food from overseas.
- Vanuatu and Samoa are both located in the South Pacific Ocean. They share a mutual appreciation for coconut, seafood, and earth oven cooking. Similar to Vanuatu’s lap lap, Samoa’s “Umu” involves cooking an array of foods, including fish, pork, and vegetables, in an earth oven. The use of coconut cream and local ingredients is a common thread that runs through both cuisines. However, Samoans are Polynesians, not Melanesian.
- Kiribati is another Micronesian country, in close proximity to Samoa. Kiribat’s cuisine closely resembling Samoa’s. Both cultures have adapted to their island environments, emphasizing fish, coconut, and taro as dietary staples. The cooking methods, influenced by limited resources, often involve simple preparation to preserve flavors.
- Fiji shares a strong culinary connection with Samoa. Both nations have incorporated elements of South Pacific and European cuisines into their traditional dishes, creating a flavorful palate. The use of coconut milk as a base for many sauces and curries is a common thread between the two. However, Fiji has more of a South Asian influence.
- São Tomé and Príncipe is located in the Atlantic Ocean, however its diet exhibits some culinary similarities with Samoa. Both countries rely heavily on seafood, tropical fruits, and starchy staples. The use of coconut milk and palm oil as flavoring agents is a shared characteristic.
- Comoros is located in the Indian Ocean, but it shares some culinary overlap with Samoa. Both island nations utilize an abundance of seafood, tropical fruits, and starchy staples as the foundation of their diets. The use of coconut milk and spices adds depth and flavor to dishes in both cultures.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Samoa
The Least Similar Diets to Samoan Food
With the exception of Syria, the countries with the least similar food to Samoa are landlocked. In addition, these five countries also have much drier climates than Samoa, so their agriculture is far different. Four of the five countries are predominately Muslim.
- South Sudan is a country located in the middle of Africa. Cassava and sorghum are the most consumed ingredients in the country. Porridge is one of its most popular dishes. Unlike in Samoa, beef is the most popular meat in the South Sudan, while fruits like bananas and coconuts are not as widely consumed.
- Chad is a landlocked African country. Sorghum and millet are the two most commonly consumed grains in the country. These crops are well adapted to the Sahel’s harsh climate. One popular dish is saka-saka, a mix of spinach and cassava leaves.
- Niger is located in the Sahel region of Africa. It has an extremely dry climate, in contrast to Samoa. Its two most common staple foods are millet and sorghum, two grains that are rarely consumed in Samoa. Tuwo, a porridge made from millet or sorghum is a traditional dish in Niger.
- Syria has a much more arid climate than Samoa, so their farms produce drastically different crops. Syrians tend to eat a lot of oranges, lemons, watermelons, and apples, while people in Samoa tend to eat more tropical fruits like bananas and coconuts.
- Uzbekistan is a doubly-landlocked country located in the middle of Asia. The country’s cuisine features a mix of traditional Uzbek and Russian dishes. Potatoes and wheat are two of the most commonly consumed starches in the country, unlike in Samoa where yams and taro are more prevalent.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Samoa
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Samoa’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Chicken, Saltwater Fish
Fruit: Banana, Coconut
Vegetable: Onion, Avocado
Starch: Taro, Wheat
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.